The invention relates to an assembly comprising an object and a device for holding a liquid comprising a liquid holder, a wall of which is formed to enclose a liquid chamber in which liquid can be stored, wherein the liquid chamber is provided with an outlet for discharging the liquid.

Such a device is generally known. Devices of this type are suitable for holding a liquid therein, and in particular consumable liquids. Such devices can be distributed so that they reach the end user. The end user can gain access to the liquid via the outlet and drink the liquid.

It is known to distribute an object holder, such as a blister, which may contain objects such as toys, together with a device for holding liquid. A known embodiment comprises a device for holding a liquid, wherein a depression in an outer wall is formed on an outer side of the packaging into which the object holder can be placed and which is held therein by means of a wrapper, such as the wrapper on which the brand name and ingredients of the liquid are printed, which wrapper is arranged around the outer wall and over the object holder. The wrapper can be removed, thus allowing access to the object holder.

The device according to the invention can hold a liquid or a semi-solid substance, such as for example ice. For the sake of readability, the term liquid will usually be used below, but this also refers to the fluid embodiments.

A drawback of the known structure is the fact that the wrapper can be removed irrespective of the position of use of the device for holding a liquid. The wrapper can already be removed in the transport position too and thus access can be gained to the article, and the article may possibly be removed.

Liquid holders are also known in which the object is not retained. US 2002/040883 discloses a bottle which has a recess at the bottom, in which plastic cups can be accommodated. The cups are formed so as to be releasable with respect to the recess. WO 99/28201 describes a bottle having a recess, in which an object can be accommodated. The object can be removed from the recess at any time. Fig. 2 shows fluid around the enclosed object. However, the outer diameter of the object is larger than the smallest inner diameter of a ring of fluid near the smallest passage from the recess. The fluid thus does not enclose the object, as a result of which the object can be released at any time.

The closest prior art is GB 2,392,898, in which a second liquid holder is placed in a larger first liquid holder.

It is an object of the present invention to further improve the assembly comprising an object and a device for holding a fluid, and in particular a liquid, and in particular the retaining of the object.

An object according to the invention is achieved by providing an assembly comprising an object and a device for holding fluid comprising a fluid holder, a wall of which is formed to enclose a fluid chamber in which a fluid can be stored, said fluid chamber being provided with an outlet for discharging the fluid. The device can be filled and emptied. In such a device, a fluid and in particular a liquid can be stored and the device is then suitable, for example, to be distributed.

According to the invention, the liquid chamber is shaped in such a manner that it at least partially encloses the object chamber and the liquid chamber is designed to maintain an initial position of the wall, in which the object is retained. As a result thereof, a wall of said liquid chamber acquires a triple function as a wall part of the liquid chamber and a wall part of an object chamber and also as a partial closure of the object chamber. With the assembly according to the invention, the fact that the fluid chamber is partially enclosed results in the object being retained in the object chamber.

The enclosing and retaining is not disclosed in GB 2,392,898.

In this application, the assembly comprising a device and object, in which the object is accommodated in the object chamber, is referred to as the initial position. Exactly when the liquid chamber is filled with a liquid, i.e. in the filled state of the device, said initial position of the wall is supported. If the fluid chamber is filled with a liquid, the fluid chamber is filled with a mass which can only be compressed to a very limited degree, thus increasing the indefoπnability of the initial position. Only when the liquid is removed can the wall be deformed. The invention thus provides an assembly comprising a device and object, in which the object is retained in the object chamber in the filled state of the device. In an empty state, the object chamber may be deformable and the object can be removed from the object chamber.

The novelty according to the invention is the fact that the non-compressible properties of the liquid in the liquid chamber are used for retaining the object. As a result thereof, a wrapper is no longer required to retain the object. In addition, the non-compressible properties of the liquid accommodated in the container are used to prevent release/detachment of the object in the filled state, resulting in the retaining effect.

hi contrast to WO 99/28201, the object according to the invention in the object chamber is enclosed by the liquid. In WO 99/28201, the wall does indeed enclose the object, but not the liquid, since, as can be seen in Fig. 2 of WO 99/28201, the smallest inner diameter of liquid in the liquid chamber is indeed greater than the outer diameter of the object. This is precisely the reason why the assembly according to the invention is an assembly which retains the object.

In one embodiment of the invention, it may be the case for round objects, for example, that the smallest inner diameter of the liquid chamber near a mouth of the object chamber is smaller than the outer diameter of the object.

hi one embodiment, the wall part which retains the object is situated near a mouth of the object chamber. In another embodiment, the retaining wall part is situated in the object chamber.

A particularly advantageous embodiment comprises a liquid chamber which forms a liquid stop which retains the object in the object chamber. The liquid stop retains the object in the object chamber. In order to remove the object from the object chamber, the liquid stop has to be displaced which, according to the invention, is impossible due to the non-compressible properties of the liquid in the liquid chamber in the filled state.

According to one embodiment, the object is formed to as to be non-releasable with respect to the object chamber and in particular non-releasable with respect to the liquid chamber. As the liquid chamber encloses the object, said chamber is non-releasable.

The outlet is preferably sealable. In a preferred embodiment, the outlet is resealable. The outlet may, for example, be provided with a screw thread on which a stopper can be fitted. This makes it possible to gain access to the fluid contained in the holder several times and to seal the latter each time after use. In the transport position, the outlet is closed and in the position of use, the outlet is open. The lid can be removed by rotation, thus allowing access to the fluid chamber.

The filled state is in particular that state where the outlet of the device is closed and the liquid chamber is filled to its maximum. This will make it impossible to remove the object, until the holder is emptied by opening the outlet.

Other objects of the invention are improving the protection and retention of an object in a liquid holder.

Such a device can be formed from a suitable material, in particular plastic, and in particular polyethylene. Those skilled in the art will know various materials. Such materials are in particular suitable for transporting and containing carbonated drinks. Such plastic materials are dimensionally stable, but may be deformable.

According to one embodiment, the wall is also formed to enclose an object chamber, in which an object can be stored. This makes it possible to also simultaneously distribute another object in addition to the liquid when the devices according to the invention are distributed. The partial enclosure is preferably at least such that a large part of an object which can be accommodated in the object chamber would be protected by the enclosure formed by the liquid holder.

In one embodiment, the enclosure is such that the object is completely enclosed. In particular in the filled state of the liquid holder, this liquid will form an additional layer of protection around the object which can be accommodated in the object chamber. The liquid can only be compressed to a very limited degree and thus forms an additional layer of protection around or partially around the object.

In one embodiment, the liquid chamber has an arm which engages with the object, in particular a number of arms. By suitable positioning, the object is enclosed and retained in the object chamber. Only by deforming the arms, which is possible when the device has been emptied, can the arms be disengaged from the object and can the object be released and removed.

According to the invention, enclosing thus prevents removal of the object. The enclosure can be broken by deformation. According to the invention, said deformation is prevented in the filled state.

In one embodiment, the object is formed so as to be non-releasable with respect to the liquid chamber and the object chamber.

In another position or state of the device, the wall part can deform and it is possible for the object to be released from the object chamber. The use of a deformable material such as a plastic is advantageous.

It is furthermore advantageous if the object chamber is provided with a storage space and a passage, with the passage forming an outlet from the storage space to the outside. This makes the storage space accessible via the passage without obstructing the liquid. Preferably, the passage, in the initial position, is formed to have cross-sectional dimensions are smaller than the smallest cross-sectional dimension of the storage space, and preferably of the object to be accommodated therein, in order to retain the object in the storage space. In the initial position, the object is prevented from moving out of the storage space to the outside by the fact that the opening of the passage is too small. The difference in size may be very small. It will be clear to those skilled in the art that this effect can also be achieved by a particular combination of shapes of the object with respect to the passage and in particular to the storage space. Such a combination of shapes is equivalent to an opening of the passage which is too small.

In one embodiment, a portion of the wall of the storage space is designed to be deformable, for example made of a flexible and/or deformable material. In one particular embodiment, the material of the wall is locally thin, as a result of which the material can be deformed more readily here. The deformation can thus be controlled.

In one particular embodiment, the empty object chamber is smaller than the object. However, the object chamber can increase in size by placing the object therein. The size of the object chamber may be flexible.

Preferably, an embodiment is designed such that, when the liquid holder is in the filled state, the storage space is reduced in such a manner that the object accommodated therein is clamped in the storage space. In a preferred embodiment, clamping can only be discontinued by liquid being removed, as a result of which the storage space can be increased and it becomes possible to release the object from the storage space via the passage to the outside. This results in a device from which, in the filled state, the object is virtually unable or unable to be removed. The device can be distributed in the filled state with a reduced risk of the object being able to be removed from the device.

In one preferred embodiment, the passage is surrounded by the liquid chamber. As a result thereof, the passage in a filled state of the device is protected by the fact that the liquid surrounds this passage. The non-compressible liquid ensures that the passage is more dimensionally stable. This can render it more difficult to remove the object from the storage space in the filled state.

Furthermore, it is advantageous that the device has a discharging position. In the discharging position, a part of a wall, in particular of the object chamber and more particularly of the passage, may be defoπnable and, in the deformed state, the object may be released. The discharging position can be achieved, for example, by removing the liquid from the liquid holder. As the wall part of the device for holding a liquid has two positions, removal of an object can be controllable.

In the discharging position, the passage preferably has cross-sectional dimensions which are equal to or greater than the cross-sectional dimensions of the storage space and in particular of the object. This makes it possible to remove the object from the storage space via the passage.

Preferably, the wall is designed to be forced to the initial position by the liquid present in the liquid holder. Precisely as a result thereof, a controllable state of the wall and thus of the retention of the object in the storage space is achieved, since, in filled state, the wall is brought into the initial position, as a result of which the object cannot be removed from the storage space.

In a preferred embodiment, the object chamber is formed on or near an end remote from the outlet, such as an underside of the liquid holder, and comprises a peripheral edge which forms the passage from the storage space to the outside. As a result of this, there will be more liquid pressure from the liquid in the filled state for maintaining the initial position.

Preferably, the object chamber is situated on the bottom side of the liquid holder. As a result thereof, the device will be positioned on said bottom in the normal position of use and the passage is thus at least partially closed. This further prevents the object from emerging from the device.

The peripheral edge is preferably formed by a part of the wall which is designed in the shape of a projection, said part of the wall forming part of a part of the wall of the liquid chamber. This results in a particularly effective embodiment, in which said wall part has a triple function. Also, in the filled state, the liquid will be present on one side of the wall and thus said wall part will be prevented from deforming and making the passage sufficiently large for the object to emerge, especially in the closed state of the liquid holder, for example when a lid is fitted on the outlet. In the filled state, the properties of the non-compressible liquid are used for securing the object in the storage space further.

The bottom side of the wall of the liquid holder is preferably of substantially flat design. This makes it possible to place the device on a surface.

It is furthermore advantageous to provide an object holder as an object. The object may be a blister. One or more objects can be accommodated in the blister or in the object holder. The holder forms an additional protection for the objects which are accommodated therein. The object holder may, for example, comprise a number of shell parts which are releasably attachable to one another, wherein the attached shell parts define an interior space in which one or more objects can be stored. This makes it possible to accommodate small objects in the object holder, with the passage of the object chamber being adapted to the object holder and the dimensions thereof.

The liquid holder is preferably a bottle, preferably a bottle made of PET. The object holder may also be made of PET. The person skilled in the art will be able to apply a suitable injection-moulding technique. By means of a suitable injection-moulding technique, the storage space can be formed in the liquid cavity. The person skilled in the art will be able to produce a suitable mould for this purpose.

The device for holding a liquid can take many different forms without departing from the scope of the invention. The device may be designed as a 'soft' packaging bag. The device may also be designed as a cup, for example having a removable lid. One particular embodiment is a milk carton which is provided with the characteristic features of the invention.

It is furthermore advantageous to create a storage space, the shape of which substantially corresponds to the shape of the object or the object holder. Since the object and the storage space form a close fit, the object will be clamped in said storage space so that die object will hardly rattle during transportation, if at all. In a further preferred embodiment, an auxiliary element is provided. The auxiliary element may preferably be accommodated in the object chamber. The auxiliary element is designed to move the object out of the object chamber. This may facilitate the removal of the object from the storage space.

Since the object chamber is accommodated in and surrounded by the liquid chamber, said liquid chamber can be compressed when the liquid chamber is in an empty state and thus a pressure can be exerted on the object which is accommodated in the storage space and which can thus be removed from said storage space via the passage. With the embodiment where the liquid chamber surrounds the passage, exerting pressure on the storage space in a filled state of the liquid chamber can be counterproductive with regard to the release of the object. As a result of the pressure on the liquid, the passage opening may actually be reduced in size or become more dimensionally stable. This reduces the possibility of removing the object still further or makes it impossible.

According to another aspect of the invention, an assembly comprising a device having one of the above characterizing features is provided filled with a fluid and in particular a liquid. The assembly may, in addition, comprise the object.

Although the invention will now be described with reference to a number of embodiments, it will be clear to the person skilled in the art that various embodiments are possible without departing from the scope of the invention and that the invention is not limited to the illustrated embodiments. The invention is described further with reference to a number of explicit advantages. It will furthermore be clear to the person skilled in the art that a number of the measures mentioned result in implicit advantages and that each of said measures may be covered by the scope of protection of this application or any divisional applications thereof. The invention is protected by the attached claims and comprises all equivalents thereof.

The invention will be described further with reference to the embodiments which are shown in the drawing, in which: Fig. 1 shows a perspective view of a first embodiment; Fig.2 shows a cut-away perspective view of components of the first embodiment, Fig. 3 shows a cross-sectional view of the first embodiment, Fig.4 shows a perspective view of a second embodiment, and Figs. 5 and 6 show cross-sectional views of the second embodiment.

Fig. 1 shows a device for holding fluid 1. The device for holding liquids 1 comprises a body 2 which, in the illustrated embodiment, is cylindrical and has a bottom 3 and an upper side 4. The device 1 for holding liquids may be a water bottle or another known container in which, for example, consumer drinks can be transported. The device for holding fluids 1 may be a bottle which can be grasped by hand by the consumer. The cylindrical part 2 can be grasped by hand. The cylindrical part 2 may be provided with gripping depressions, etc.

On the cylindrical part 2, a part of a wrapper 5 may be provided on which text 6 may be printed containing information about the contents of the device for holding liquid 1 for the consumer.

It will be clear to the person skilled in the art that the device 1 for holding liquids may be designed in many different ways. It is also possible to use various materials for producing the device for holding liquids 1. Li one embodiment, transparent plastic is used from which the conventional soft drink bottles are made. PET may be a suitable material. Such devices for holding liquids 1 may be formed in a mould by means of injection-moulding or by means of another suitable technique.

A method of producing a device for holding a bottle comprises injection-moulding or producing in another suitable manner the device for holding liquids, filling the device for holding liquids with a liquid and optionally applying a wrapper 5 containing texts 6.

The illustrated embodiment according to Fig. 1 comprises an upper side 4 having a rounded side which tapers in the direction of an outlet 8 hidden under a closure unit 7. The outlet may be provided with screw thread 9, as illustrated in Fig. 2. The closure unit 7, which in this case is in the form of a Hd, may be provided with an internal screw thread 11 and can be connected to the screw thread of outlet 8 and can be connected thereto. Thus, the device for holding liquid can assume an open position, as is illustrated in Fig. 2, and a closed position, as is illustrated in Fig. 1.

In both positions (open position, closed position), a fluid may be present in the fluid chamber 10 of the device for holding fluid 1. The fluid chamber is accessible via the outlet 8.

In the closed position, as is illustrated in Fig. 1, when the device is filled or at least partially filled, the fluid will, in the illustrated position according to Fig. 1, be situated near a bottom 3 of the device 1. In particular when the fluid chamber 10 is filled virtually completely or to a large degree, a device 1 is obtained which, due to being filled with fluid, is hardly compressible, if at all. Due to the filling with fluid, the hollow space inside the cylindrical part 4, delimited by bottom 3 and upper side 4, is virtually completely filled with fluid and has thus become incompressible or virtually incompressible.

The position illustrated in Fig. 1 is an initial position of the device for holding liquid 1, in which position the device 1 can be distributed from a factory to an intermediate sales outlet and from there to the end user. In this initial position, the device 1 is at least temporarily filled at least partially.

Fig. 1 also shows an object holder 20 which, in the illustrated embodiment, is spherical. The object holder 20 comprises two shell parts 21, 22 which may be formed from a suitable material, in particular a plastic material which is partly deformable. The shell parts 21, 22 may be provided with connecting elements by means of which the shell parts can be connected to one another and by means of which the connected state according to Fig. 1 can be achieved.

Fig. 2 shows the object holder 20 in an open position, showing that a little figure 23 is accommodated in the cavity formed between the shell parts 21, 22. In one embodiment, several objects may be accommodated in the object holder. Other embodiments are also possible. The object holder 20 may have a different shape. The shell parts may be more egg-shaped, hi one embodiment, an object holder is in the form of an oval shape or a rectangular shape. There are several possibilities with regard to the object holder without departing from the scope of the invention. According to the invention, there are various ways in which the object holder 20 can be adapted to the storage space 15 in which the object holder 20 can be accommodated.

In the open position, as illustrated in Fig. 2, a liquid can flow out of the liquid chamber 10 via outlet 8 and can, for example, be drunk. As can be seen in Fig. 2, the device for holding liquid 1 is designed substantially to surround the liquid chamber 10. The device for holding liquid 1 has a wall 12 which encloses a volume which to at least 70% consists of the volume of the liquid chamber 10, preferably to at least 75% and still more preferably to at least 80%. Only a small portion, preferably less than 20%, more preferably less than 15% and still more preferably less than 10% of the volume enclosed by the outer walls 12 of the device for holding liquid 1 has another function, and functions in particular as a storage space 15 of the object chamber 16, which furthermore comprises a passage 17. The primary function of the device for holding liquid thus still accommodates a liquid in the liquid chamber 10 and allows distribution thereof.

The device for holding liquid 1 furthermore comprises the object chamber 16. In the object chamber 16 which is formed near a bottom 3 of the device for holding liquid 1 , but which can also be formed in another position in the device for holding liquid 1, an object 20 can be accommodated. To this end, the shape of the object chamber 16 and object 20 are tailored to one another.

Object 20 can be introduced into the object chamber 16 by introducing it into the storage space 15 via passage 17. The passage 17 may have a wall part 18 which can be deformed in order to push the object 20 through said passage and accommodate it in the storage space 15. In one embodiment, a part of the wall of the passage 17 can be deformed and arranged in a position such that the passage 17 is sufficiently large to receive the object 20.

In the illustrated embodiment, passage 17 is round, but other shapes are likewise possible. The object holder 20 is also round. The passage 17 preferably has an internal diameter which is slightly smaller than the external diameter of the object 20. As a result thereof, the object cannot pass through the passage without deforming it.

In the embodiment from Fig. 2, the liquid space 10 surrounds the passage 17. In a filled state and in the normal position of use as illustrated in Figs. 1 and 2, the liquid will be near the bottom 3 and thus this liquid will surround the passage 17, as is illustrated by liquid 37 in Fig. 3. hi particular in the closed position of the liquid chamber 10, i.e. with the closure unit 7 fitted on the outlet 8, the liquid chamber 10 is incompressible or virtually incompressible and the passage 17 is thus indeformable or virtually indeformable. The liquid in the liquid chamber 10 reinforces and strengthens the passage 17 and renders it less deformable.

Fitting the object 20 is preferably carried out in the non-filled state and in particular in the open position of the device for holding liquid 1. Once the object has been fitted, the device 1 can be filled. As a result of the filling, the object 20 accommodated in the storage space 15 will be unable or virtually unable to pass through the passage 17 and the object can therefore not be removed therefrom. As a result of the filling, the wall of the passage can be brought into the initial position, in which the object is held securely in the storage space 15.

Only after the liquid chamber 10 has been opened and in particular after virtually the entire liquid contents have been consumed does the passage 17 become deformable and can the object be removed from the device.

Removing the object 20 from the storage space 15 can be achieved by deforming bottle 1 and in particular deforming the wall 12, in which case the liquid chamber 10 is compressed and a force can be exerted on the wall 30 of storage space 15 in the direction of the arrow 31, that is to say through the passage to the outside. Such a deformation of the device for holding liquid 1 is possible when compressible plastic materials are used, at least if the liquid has been removed therefrom.

In the illustrated embodiment, wall part 32 of passage 17 has three functions. Firstly, wall part 32 is a wall part of the liquid chamber 10. Furthermore, wall part 32 is a wall part of the passage 17 through which an object can leave the storage space 15. This wall part 32 will have to deform in order to allow the object 20 to deform the storage space 15 since the passage 17 is formed in such a manner that the object cannot pass through it unless said passage 17 is deformed. This makes it possible to form a single wall part 32 having a large number of functions in a wall part. In this manner, the functions are formed very effectively in one working step.

The illustrated storage space 15 is spherical. Several shapes are possible. In one embodiment, the wall part 30 of storage space 15 is relatively thin and thus more deformable than wall parts 12. In one embodiment, wall part 32 is thinner than wall part 12 and thus more readily deformable. The deformability of the wall parts of the object chamber 16 makes it possible for these to be used for generating a force according to arrow 31 for removing an object 20 from said storage space 15.

Although the invention has been described with reference to an object holder 20 in which an object 23 is accommodated, it will be clear that the object can also be placed in the storage space without shell parts 21 and 22.

In one embodiment in which wall part 30 is relatively thin and thus deformable, filling of the liquid chamber 10 in the normal position, as illustrated in Figs. 1 and 2, will result in the liquid collecting near the bottom 3 and consequently exerting a pressure on wall part 30 on account of the force of gravity in the direction of arrow 31. If the wall part 30 is deformable, the shape of the object chamber can consequently be made smaller, as a result of which it fits more tightly around the object which is accommodated therein. This results in the object being held in place and also makes it impossible for the object, for example, to leave the passage 17 anymore.

The device for holding liquid 1 is preferably characterized by the fact that the wall parts 30 or 32 of the object chamber 16 or other parts of the wall of the object chamber have a position in which the object accommodated therein cannot leave the storage space 15 via the passage 17. The wall parts 30, 32 may be deformable in a removal position, preferably when the device is hardly filled with liquid, if at all in order to make it possible for the object to pass through passage 17. Fig. 3 shows the device according to Figs. 1 and 2 in a cross-sectional view. Object 20 is accommodated in the substantially spherical storage space 15.

Fig. 3 shows an auxiliary element 35. The auxiliary element 35 may be a thread or a strip or lace which is accommodated between the object 20 and the wall 30 of storage space 15. The auxiliary element may partially protrude beyond the passage 17. The auxiliary element can be grasped by a user and can be used to remove article 20 from the storage space 15. Thus, it is no longer necessary to deform the device 1 and in particular the cylindrical part 2 thereof in order to remove the object.

Fig. 3 shows the device for holding liquid in the filled state. A liquid 36 is present. As can be seen, part 37 of the liquid 36 is accommodated in a part of liquid chamber 10 which surrounds the passage 17. Passage 17 forms a projection which prevents removal of object 20. The projection is reinforced by the presence of liquid 37 and is thus incompressible or virtually incompressible. Removal of liquid 37 can facilitate the deformation of wall part 32 of passage 17 and thus facilitate removal of the object. Passage 17 forms a peripheral projection, hi the illustrated embodiment, the peripheral projection is circular, but other embodiments are also possible for passage 17.

Fig. 4 shows an embodiment of a device 41 for holding a fluid. The device comprises a holder 42 for the fluid, such as a liquid. The holder 42 comprises a bottom 44 and peripheral walls 45. The peripheral walls 45 enclose a liquid chamber. On an upper side of the holder, an outlet 48 is provided for supplying and discharging fluid. Near the outlet, the holder is provided with a closure to which a closure element (not shown), such as a lid, can be fitted in order to close off the liquid chamber.

In part of the peripheral wall 45, an opening 49 is formed. The opening gives access to an object chamber 51 in which an object 60 can be placed. The object chamber is enclosed by a wall 50 of the holder, hi the second embodiment, the wall 50 of the object chamber is deformable. If the object is a spherical object, the object chamber can be designed as a spherical object chamber. The opening 49 is then preferably circular. The diameter of the circle of the opening is preferably smaller than the diameter of the spherical object.

The dimension d _f of the opening 49 is preferably smaller than the greatest dimension of the object which is to be stored therein. According to the invention, the smallest diameter d _m of the liquid chamber is also smaller than the outer diameter d _o of the object. The object chamber is thus non-releasable. Liquid stops are formed near the mouth, in this case a stop in the form of a complete ring.

Fig. 6 shows a cross-sectional view of an object chamber 50' in the initial position. Object 60 is placed in the object chamber 50'. The object has a circular contour 61. The object has a diameter d _o - The passage (between 52) has a diameter which is smaller than the diameter d ₀ of the object. Since, when the object has been fitted, the dimensions of the object are greater than those of the object chamber, the wall 50' is deformed compared to the wall 50 in a state where the object has not been fitted. The relatively large object enlarges the object chamber due to the fact that the walls of the object chamber are deformable.

The object chamber surrounds and encloses the object in its fitted state. The diameter of the opening between the edges 52 of the opening is smaller than the largest diameter d _o of the object. In this embodiment, the walls of the storage space closely fit around the object to be stored.

hi a filled state of the holder, the fluid will surround the object chamber. When the object is fitted, the fluid will also surround the object. The fluid will surround more than half of the object.

Although the invention has been illustrated with reference to a preferred embodiment, it will be clear that various embodiments are possible without departing from the scope of the invention.